Our Safe Environment Program:

The Child and Youth Protection unit of the Diocese of Trenton works with parishes and schools to ensure that all employees and volunteers that have regular and consistent contact with children receive the proper training and have current criminal background checks. This training gives employees and volunteers the safety tools that they need to use in all aspects of their lives. We also assist parishes and schools in implementing and scheduling VIRTUS training programs for both adults and children. 

 We currently offer the following training programs through VIRTUS (www.virtusonline.org). 

*VIRTUS Protecting God's Children for Adults

      This program helps the adults in our society to recognize the warning signs of a potential offender and how to apporopriately respond. 

 For more information, please contact 
[email protected].

Attention Volunteers
  Are you compliant?
  
 As mandated by the Diocese of Trenton Office of Child and Youth Protection, the
 following areas of compliance must be adhered to for all volunteers who wish to work in the parish while children are present. Or in a ministry working with the vulnerable.
  
1.) Application – complete volunteer application.
  
2.) VIRTUS Training –Virtus attendance is only valid for four years, You must attend a recertification session prior to December 31^st of the fourth year if you wish to continue volunteering in ministry.
  
3.) Criminal History Background Check-a background check will be conducted through fingerprint analysis by the NJ State Police,
 through the private service of IdentoGo.
  
  A.) All new volunteers and employees are subject to a fingerprint scan for their initial screening. Once your clearance certificate is received, volunteers will be reimbursed for the cost of the background check.
  
 B.) On the 4^th year of ministry you will be required to have your background check reevaluated. 
 
 4.) Diocese of Trenton Volunteer Code of Conduct- a document drafted by the
 Diocese ofTrenton that outlines the behavioral expectations for anyone volunteering at a diocesan facility.
 
 Protecting our children and families is a main priority for the administration and staff of our parish and all parishes and schools located within the Diocese of Trenton. While we understand the demands on your time as volunteers, our first concern must be the safety of everyone placed in our care during the course of your ministry. Therefore, we require that these three areas of compliance be satisfied before you begin your ministry at our parish. 

 If you should have any questions or need further information please contact:
  
 Kathleen M. McNellis
 Safe Environment Coordinator
 [email protected]
 856-797-0999 ext 101
 

Diocese of Trenton: Our Promise to Protect
  
 The Diocese of Trenton is committed to the initiatives outlined in the U.S. Bishop’s Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in regard to the reporting and investigation of sexual abuse allegations involving minors. If you have been sexually abused as a minor by a member of the clergy or anyone representing the Catholic Church, or if you know of someone who was, you can report that abuse through theDiocesan Abuse Hotline: 1-888-296-2965 or
 via email at [email protected].
  
 The Diocese of Trenton reports any allegations of sexual abuse to the appropriate law enforcement agencies. Anyone with an allegation is also encouraged to provide that information to local law enforcement authorities.